Sight Scotland is urging more restaurants and venues to ‘open their doors’ to the vision impaired. It has created a free Customer Service guide aimed at the hospitality industry, which gives simple advice and tips on what venues can do to improve the visitor experience for the vision impaired.
The new Sight Scotland campaign, takes inspiration from the Swanston Brasserie, just outside of Edinburgh, which has become one of the first restaurants in Scotland to place accessibility for the visually impaired at the top of its priority list.
Gillian McDonald, Director of Operations at Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, says, “We are really hoping more restaurants and venues open their doors to the vision impaired. Small, easy changes can make such a huge difference to someone with a VI, and this is why we are launching our restaurant accessibility campaign. When visiting a bar or restaurant it is important that everyone is made to feel as welcome and comfortable as possible from the moment they step in the front door to the moment they leave.”
Sam Lockhart, who is Marketing Manager at Swanston Brasserie, comments, “As a society we need to work on education, and improve our understanding that everyone is different, but these differences should not prevent anyone from doing things they enjoy. I very much believe that we should try and give 100% to everyone.
“Unfortunately, most people with a VI have anxiety; they don’t like new places and they don’t like surprises. This is why it is so important for them to know a venue is accessible and that the staff are friendly and aware of what assistance they may require. People with a VI spend their life planning, so if they find a restaurant or venue which suits their needs, and where they are well looked after, it stands to reason that they will return.
Sam adds, “I want to stress that this has not been a financial burden and most of the changes we have made are small and easy to implement.”
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